45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

RELATING TO ANIMALS; PROHIBITING ANIMAL FIGHTING FOR MONETARY GAIN OR ENTERTAINMENT; PROVIDING PENALTIES; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 30-18-9 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1981, Chapter 30, Section 1) is amended to read:

"30-18-9. [DOG] ANIMAL FIGHTING--PENALTY.--

A. It is unlawful for any person to cause, sponsor, arrange, hold or participate in a fight between [dogs] animals for the purpose of monetary gain or entertainment. Participation in a fight between [dogs] animals for the purpose of monetary gain or entertainment consists of an adult knowingly:

(1) being present at such a fight without attempting to interfere with or stop such contest; or

(2) owning or equipping one of the participating [dogs] animals with knowledge of such contest.

B. It is unlawful to train, equip or sponsor [a dog] an animal for the purpose of having it participate in a fight with another [dog] animal for monetary gain or entertainment.

C. Any person violating the provisions of Subsection A or B of this section is guilty of a fourth degree felony.

D. As used in this section, "animal" means a vertebrate member of the animal kingdom, excluding humans."